CONFERENCE OF GROUP OF MINISTERS - AGENDA

AGENDA FOR THE 4TH MEETING OF GROUP OF MINISTERS (GOM) TO BE HELD ON 08.11.2016 AT THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA

1. All India Authorization for Tourist Bus Permit:

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways published a draft notification on 18/05/2016 seeking comments of the stakeholders. Some States raised apprehension regarding loss of revenue after implementation of the All India Authorisation for Tourist Bus Permit Rules, 2016. Ministry of Road Transport & Highways published a draft notification on 18/05/2016 seeking comments of the stakeholders. Some States raised apprehension regarding loss of revenue after implementation of the All India Authorisation for Tourist Bus Permit Rules, 2016.

2. Seamless transfer of Registration of vehicles more than 2 years old private vehicle (two wheeler and car) from one State to another, if the owner has to relocate:

As per section 47 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, when a vehicle is transferred to a new State and kept for more than 12 months, the vehicle owner has to seek new registration mark for motor and pay the road tax as prescribed by the new Transport Authority. However, in case the owner has paid life time motor vehicle tax in the previous State, he may seek refund of road tax on pro-rata basis from that State in the event of transfer to other State.

Realizing the seriousness of problem, the matter was discussed during the 34th meeting of Transport Development Council (TDC) and an empowered group of State Transport Ministers was constituted. On the recommendation of the empowered group of Ministers, a resolution was passed which inter-alia states that no tax may be charged in new State if the vehicle is more than two years old and no refund given from original State in such cases.

3. Improving operational efficiency of freight transportation:

Growth of logistic infrastructure has not kept pace with economic growth and warrants much needed consideration. Transporter’s Associations/Unions have been raising the issue of lower operational efficiencies on National Highways for freight transportation.

4. Implementation of direction of Supreme Court appointed Committee by the States:

In pursuance of order dated 22.04.2014 of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in W.P. No. 295 of 2012, MoRTH has constituted a Committee on Road Safety under the chairmanship of Justice (Retd.) K S Radhakrishnan. The Committee, after having held meetings with the States/UTs and having assessed the situation prevailing therein, has made certain recommendations to the States/UTs for implementation. The status may be reviewed.

5. Upgradation of VAHAN - II to VAHAN - IV:

Nearly all the States have successfully implemented the RTO-centric Vahan and Sarathi (version 1 and version 2) applications to automate the process in the RTOs. In the last one year, centralized, web-enabled versions of these two applications – Vahan 4 and Sarathi 4 has been developed to provide better services to the Transport Department officials/staff, the common citizens and other stakeholders. States may be requested to upgrade VAHAN – II to VAHAN – IV.

6. Discussion on draft of Carriage by Road Rules:

Carriage by Road Rules, 2011 was notified in 2011 to implement the Carriage by Road Act. However, since, notification of the Carriage by Road Rules, the Transport Association/Unions have requested to amend the certain clauses of the Carriage by Road Rules, 2011. MoRTH constituted a Committee under the Chairmanship of the then Principal Secretary-cum-Transport Commissioner, Rajasthan in 2012. Based on the report of the Committee and discussion held with the Transport Association, the Ministry has prepared draft Carriage by Road Rules.